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Panda enclosure closed amid pregnancy hopes
Tian Tian
Tian Tian's enclosure is now closed until further notice.

Keepers believe Tian Tian may be expecting a cub

The panda enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo is closed until further notice due to the possible pregnancy of giant panda Tian Tian.

Britain's only female panda was artificially inseminated for the third time earlier this year. Experts say that she did conceive, but they did not know for sure if she was pregnant.

Now keepers at the Zoo have closed off Tian Tian's enclosure in the hope of the arrival of a rare cub.

A statement on the Edinburgh Zoo website says:  "Please be aware that due to our giant panda Tian Tian's potential pregnancy, the panda enclosure is now closed until further notice and both her and Yang Guang's panda cams have also now been turned off. There is no further news at this stage.

"Many thanks to our visitors and members for their understanding during this exciting, but delicate period."

Tian Tian was artificially inseminated in March after two previous attempts failed to produce a panda cub.

The procedure was carried out by an expert team of three veterinary surgeons, together with Doctor Wang Chengdong from the China Conservation and Research Centre for Giant Pandas. Only semen from the zoo's male giant panda Yang Guang was used during the procedure.

Tian Tian and Yang Guang arrived at Edinburgh Zoo in December 2011 and they are the first adult giant pandas to have ever come out of China.

Image (C) RZSS Edinburgh Zoo

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.